iCanPlay: Hashim Mahmood Q&A
Tell us about how and why you got involved in playing football?
I got involved in football through my older brother.
He brought me to play with him and his mates when I was 7/8 years old.
The reason I got into football was because I love it and football is the most beautiful and competitive sport in the world.
How does it feel to have won the inaugural Deaf Final at the FA Disability Cup at St. George’s Park recently with Farsley Celtic?
It is amazing and I was so emotional.
I can’t explain how I feel.
But to be honest on that day our team Farsley Celtic worked so hard, brilliant teamwork and being passionate until final whistle.
Not just the fact we won the cup, we even made history as the first team to win the cup for the first time in history on BT Sport.
Farsley Celtic Deaf won the inaugural Deaf Final at St. George's Park in the FA Disability Cup
Who have you played football for and who do you play for now?
As you know I play for Farsley Celtic Deaf FC.
I also play for Barnsley FC Scholarship team whilst I study at University.
I was playing for a Saturday team and I left last year due to travel issues and I am still looking for another team.
What do you enjoy about playing football?
Playing football is a beautiful game.
This is only sport I fell in love with since I was 7/8 years old.
I do play other sports, but football is a must for me to play regularly.
Football gave me a chance to develop my characteristics skills such as leadership, communication and encouragement.
This does now help me in non-sport situations.
Who are your role models in football?
My role model has got to be my mother because she always supports me no matter what.
No matter what happens, she still supports me.
She is my biggest supporter and even fan.
On the final, my family was watching on BT Sport.
They enjoyed watching and even when I got to home my mother celebrated while using the confetti shooter.
Brilliant memories!
What are your greatest achievements in playing football and why?
2022 is the year of my greatest achievement because I won the league with Barnsley FC Scholarship team and even won the cup in Malta in a tournament.
I even passed my driving test which is important for me to travel everywhere to play games.
I also won the North League with Farsley Celtic Deaf FC and won the Deaf Final at St. George’s Park, creating history.
Also, we qualified for the European Deaf Champions League next year in Poland.
It has been a marvellous year and I’ll never forget this.
Hashim playing for Farsley Celtic Deaf FC
What are your goals for the future?
My goal in the future is to get involved in coaching while hopefully also joining a semi-professional team.
This is my biggest goal to achieve.
All I have to do is continue my hard work, determination and never give up.
What are the biggest obstacles you have faced in playing football?
The biggest obstacle I ever face is the communication barrier.
When I meet people who are non-deaf I got to read his/her lips to understand what they are saying but sometimes it works well and sometimes it doesn’t.
That’s life I got to endure but I knew I don’t and won’t give up.
Who’s had the biggest influence on you as a footballer and why?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest influence on me as a footballer.
I really appreciate him and his all hard work and I look up to him as a role model in football.
He is my idol and he inspired me.
He is 37 years old and he is still to a top athlete and he is playing in the Premier League, the best league in the world.
This showed me age doesn’t matter.
What advice would you give to people thinking about getting involved in playing football, in particular disability football?
I want to advise them people who are in disability football.
Please don’t ever give up.
Keep working hard to achieve your dream.